Hofbräuhaus Munich

The Hofbräuhaus am Platzl in Munich is probably the most famous beer hall in the world and a must on many first trips to Bavaria. In the heart of the Old Town, a few minutes' walk from Marienplatz, locals, regulars' clubs and visitors from every continent share long wooden tables, liter mugs of beer and oompah music. Entry is free, and even if you don't drink beer, the painted vaults and the history inside make it worth a look.

A Brewery for the Royal Court

Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria founded the brewery on September 27, 1589, to supply his court, which had been buying expensive beer from elsewhere. Brewing moved to the current site on the Platzl in 1607 (some sources say 1608). King Ludwig I opened it to the public in 1828, and the Bavarian state has owned it since 1852.

In 1896 the brewery moved out of the cramped Old Town, and architect Max Littmann designed today's Neo-Renaissance building; its ground-floor hall, the Schwemme, opened in February 1897. Largely destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt by 1958.

The beer hall also played a role in darker history: on February 24, 1920, Adolf Hitler presented the Nazi Party's 25-point program here to about 2,000 people, and the party adopted the name NSDAP that day.

What to Expect Inside

The Hofbräuhaus seats up to 3,000 guests indoors and around 400 in its courtyard beer garden:

• The Schwemme: the lively main hall with painted vaults and a live band every day, except Good Friday and All Saints' Day.
• The Bräustüberl on the first floor: quieter, and the only area that takes reservations.
• The Festsaal: a grand hall upstairs with a nine-meter ceiling, holding about 1,500 people.
• The beer garden: an inner courtyard with a lion fountain, open in the warmer months.

About half the daily guests are regulars. Around 120 Stammtisch groups meet here, and their personal mugs are kept in a locked rack with 616 compartments.

Opening Hours and Tips

As of October 2026, the Hofbräuhaus is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m., and last beer orders are at 11:30 p.m. In the Schwemme and beer garden you can't reserve – just ask to join a table, as locals do. Lunchtime on weekdays is the easiest time to find a seat. Prices are in euros, and a meal with beer takes about one to two hours.

Brewery tours take place at the modern Hofbräu brewery in the Riem district, not at the beer hall. Guided group tours of the Hofbräuhaus itself can be booked through Munich Tourism at least 72 hours in advance.

How to Get There

Take the S-Bahn or U3/U6 to Marienplatz, or the S-Bahn to Isartor; the beer hall is about 500 meters from either. From Munich Airport, the S1 or S8 brings you to Marienplatz in about 40 minutes, and the Deutschlandticket covers all local transit. Step-free access is via Bräuhausstraße, with an elevator and accessible restrooms. Dogs are welcome.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes – touristy, but genuinely historic and fun. Combine it with a walk to Marienplatz, St. Peter's Church and the Viktualienmarkt, or head north to the Munich Residenz and the National Theater, all within about five to ten minutes on foot.